Written Answers Nos. 450-469
450. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal welfare officers working within his Department; to provide a breakdown of which local authorities have dedicated animal welfare officers and which local authorities rely on his Department centrally for upholding animal welfare, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35884/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes this matter most seriously.
I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner and remain committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.
All reports of alleged animal cruelty or neglect received by my Department are investigated. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.
Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers, under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country providing nationwide coverage. Their responsibilities include carrying out welfare inspections in every county and providing advice and support to the keepers of animals, however primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals rests with the owner or keeper.
A feature of the enforcement of the Act is my Department can work alongside An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. All reports received generate case reports which are referred for investigation by authorised officers and appropriate action is taken, which could include, up to, prosecution. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
My Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of Local Authorities and it is therefore at the discretion of these bodies to deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact. The Deputy should contact the respective Local authority to source a breakdown of staffing allocations.
451. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to save Ireland's native honey bee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35967/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is very supportive of beekeepers and beekeeping associations in their efforts in protecting the native Irish honey bee. The Annual Grants to Irish National Beekeepers Federations which is Exchequer funded provides an annual grant to the four Irish National Beekeepers Federations. In 2025, the four national beekeeping federations received a total of €25,500 through this measure for initiatives, including the conservation of the native Irish honey bee.
The Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) also received funding in 2021 and 2024 under my Department's Conservation of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources Scheme for projects related to the conservation of the native Irish honey bee and their application under the 2026 Scheme has been approved.
My Department also supports Irish beekeeping through the provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping related equipment and structures.
In addition, €121,000 was paid out under the National Apiculture Programme (NAP) in 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project.
452. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in his Department referenced in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has written to my Department regarding a proposed expenditure levy to be applied in 2027. The proposed levy will be based on my Department's current expenditure allocation for 2026, with capital expenditure exempted from the levy. The levy is due to apply in 2027.
453. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the enactment of the Irish Honeybee Bill 2021 to ensure the protection of native species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36461/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees, is a Private Members Bill and is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
454. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by his Department to address continued food price inflation and to ensure primary producers receive fair share of retail prices while maintaining affordability for consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I have no role in determining or intervening in prices for agri-food commodities at farm gate or retail level; market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers. The final cost to consumers also reflects other costs incurred along the supply chain, including processing, transportation, packaging, marketing, and retail costs.
Regarding prices received by primary producers, it is global rather than domestic prices which mainly determine farm gate prices for milk and cattle in Ireland. My Department continues to monitor trends in prices received and paid by primary producers as reported by the Central Statistics Office:
The Agricultural Price Output Index, which tracks the prices paid to farmers for their produce, and the Agricultural Price Input Index, which tracks the prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. Agricultural Price Indices are available at: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agriculture/agriculturalpriceindices/.
Advance, Preliminary and Final estimates for Output, Input and Income in Agriculture are released by the CSO each year and provide an account of farm outputs, input costs and income. Output, Input and Income in Agriculture releases are available at: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agriculture/outputinputandincomeinagriculture/.
The Government will continue to support farmers through the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and other specific supports as needed.
In relation to the market, the work of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) is concerned with transparency and fairness along the agri-food supply chain. An Rialálaí Agraibhia is an independent statutory Office established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. It ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, legislation on unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain and also provides information on the agri-food supply chain through engagement with stakeholders, including primary producers, and the analysis of price and market data.
455. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional measures he intends to introduce to support generational renewal in the farming sector, particularly in relation to land access, succession planning and support for young farmers entering agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36476/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe challenge of generational renewal in farming is widely recognised at both national and EU level. The Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland.
There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures, access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training support. Despite these significant supports the average age of farmers continues to rise.
The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine this issue, which is complex, with many factors involved. The Commission adopted an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the factors involved and engaged closely with stakeholders. Their report looked at existing supports in detail and estimated that at least €429 million in supports were provided in 2024. They produced a thorough analysis and have made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including CAP Supports; Pensions; Taxation; Access to Finance; Access to Land; Collaborative Arrangements; Advisory Services; Education and Training; Gender Balance; and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector.
I was pleased to launch the Commission's report last September. As noted by the Commission, this is an issue for all of the agri-food stakeholders to address; to support the environmental, social and economic sustainability of farming, and to enhance its image as a career.
An implementation group in my Department is currently considering the recommendations and will monitor implementation on an ongoing basis. The current CSP is fully programmed and the budget has been committed. Therefore, recommendations in the report around CAP supports are being considered in the context of the new round post 2027, including the new CAP regulation and a new budget. The EU Commission has also published a new Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture. I welcome this increased focus, and their new strategy comes to many of the same conclusions as our own Commission.
While some recommendations can only be progressed in the context of the next CAP, others can and will be implemented in a shorter time frame. I am pleased that some of the taxation recommendations have already been progressed in Budget 2026 and we are currently progressing others.
The work of the Commission ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for our ongoing work in supporting generational renewal.
456. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being implemented to support the agricultural sector in managing energy costs and ensuring energy security, given that 36% of respondents in Ireland identified energy as a significant concern at the EU level in the EU Poll 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36477/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to monitor trends in agricultural input costs as reported in the Central Statistics Office monthly Agricultural Price Indices release, including Energy costs, comprising Electricity, Motor Fuels and Lubricants, and Fertiliser costs, with nitrogen-based fertilisers being closely related to energy prices and the cost of natural gas.
Geopolitical crises in recent years and the current conflict in the Middle East have entailed significant volatility in energy markets and this resulted in increased costs pressures for the agri-food sector, which are a risk to viability and competitiveness.
The Government recognised the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors, and fishers, and has been in close contact with representative bodies in recent weeks. A substantial support package has been put in place, with the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel of 7.4c/l. I announced a further income support payment worth up to 20c/l through the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme, designed to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing the significant increases in fuel costs. Further information is available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/services/fuel-income-support-scheme/.
With regard to fertiliser supply, my Department tracks the stocks of fertiliser available in Ireland through the National Fertiliser Database, which was established in 2023 by this Government. Ireland and other Member States await the initial draft of the EU Commission Fertiliser Action Plan in the first half of this year.
In relation to costs, the Government has supported the proposed inclusion of a mechanism to allow for the suspension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which adds a carbon levy to the import of third country nitrogen fertilisers and urea, in the event of serious and unforeseen disruptions. The Department of Finance continues to engage with the EU Commission in this regard.
My Department will continue to engage with key agri-food stakeholders on energy security and supply matters over the coming months in response to the evolving situation.
457. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to evaluate the impact of the EU's trade performance on the Irish agricultural sector, noting that 39% of respondents in Ireland view trade as the area where the EU's performance is strongest according to the recent European Movement Ireland EU Poll 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36478/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a small, open economy, and we depend for our prosperity upon good two-way trading relationships with our international partners, based on free, fair and open trade.
The agri-food sector in Ireland is particularly globally oriented, with approximately 90% of Irish beef, sheepmeat and dairy products exported annually to over 190 countries. The food, drink & primary production sectors account for nearly one-third of all export sales by Irish-owned companies, directly supporting 6.1% of total employment.
Our membership of the European Union makes us part of a growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, which provides significant opportunities for exports and investment, helps support jobs and growth at home, and maintains strict EU standards in relation to food safety and animal and plant health. Being able to avail of this network also makes it easier for the Irish agri-food sector to diversify and deepen relationships with new and emerging high-growth markets, as well as to strengthen our relationships on long-established markets.
For example, since the inception of EU Trade Agreements with Japan and Canada, our agri-food exports have increased significantly. Under the EU-Japan Agreement, tariff liberalisation has facilitated an increase in Irish agri-food exports from €107m in 2019 to €155m in 2025, and under CETA, the agreement has helped increase Irish agri-food exports to Canada from €107m in 2017 to €167m in 2025.
While supportive of trade liberalisation, the Government takes a balanced approach to EU Free Trade Agreements and recognise that these must have due regard to sensitive agri-food sectors. The Government has always been clear that EU trade agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors, and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through, for example, weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries.
458. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium, that is, radio, television, social media, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36482/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department uses advertising to communicate important public information, promote schemes and services available, and to encourage positive behaviour change in areas such as farm safety, health & well-being and animal welfare.
This expenditure includes the advertising of various schemes and services and the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Advertising is placed across both national and local media to communicate this information.
All advertising is procured in line with public procurement rules through a media buying agency, with media channel selection determined by target audience, best practice and value for money considerations, ensuring we are compliant with our Irish language obligations.
The tables below detail my Department’s advertising expenditure in each of the past five years.
Table 1 sets out the total advertising expenditure in each of the past five years.
Table 2 provides a breakdown of all advertising expenditure by media platform in each of the past five years.
Table 1:
|
Year |
Total expenditure |
|
2021 (May – Dec) |
126,712.50 |
|
2022 |
712,269.12 |
|
2023 |
2,185,916.37 |
|
2024 |
1,303,349.35 |
|
2025 |
627,691.04 |
|
2026 (to date) |
155,200.30 |
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should be issued within 10 days.
459. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35859/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
460. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Ireland has developed proposed responses or solutions to the concerns raised by Member States maintaining reservations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive, including concerns relating to scope, cost and decentralised competencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35877/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra461. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether bilateral engagement has taken place with Member States maintaining reservations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; the dates and format of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra462. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Ireland intends to table, support or advance a revised compromise text relating to the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department intends to publish or summarise its assessment of the implications of the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive and the 2024 Belgian Presidency compromise text for Irish law and policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the gaps, if any, have been identified between existing equality protections in the State and the protections proposed under the European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the 2024 Belgian Presidency compromise text remains the basis on which Ireland is engaging in negotiations on the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 460, 461, 462, 463, 464 and 465 together.
Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of the adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive. As the Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the Council during our term, work with all Member States to understand their views, and will seek to progress this file.
As regards its current status, the Equal Treatment Directive is an active Council file, and I wish to recognise the leadership and remit of the Cyprus Presidency on this matter. The Cyprus Presidency are currently pursuing their mandate to lead the Council negotiations on the file. I understand the Cyprus Presidency intend to provide the EPSCO Council with a progress report on work during their Presidency on this file on the 29 June 2026. Ireland is working closely with the Cyprus Presidency and will be ready to take on responsibility as required for this file on 1 July.
As outlined, supporting the work of the Danish and the Cyprus Presidency, Ireland has continued to back efforts to reach unanimity at Council. As part of our Presidency preparations, I have met with Commissioner Lahbib to discuss the Directive, and officials are actively engaging with Member States at technical levels. I have also raised the Directive in the bilateral engagements I have had with ministerial counterparts. As appropriate, time at the EPSCO Council and at EU Working Parties will be made available to progress this file. Officials from the Department will continue their engagements with their counterparts, and I will also continue to engage bilaterally with Member States on this file as appropriate.
With regards to the substance of the Directive, if covers the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the areas of social protection, including social security and healthcare, education, and access to goods and services, including housing. While much is already covered in Irish law under the Equal Status Acts, full alignment with the current text would likely require changes related to the age ground (amendment to s.3(3) of the Equal Status Act to extend the age ground to those under 18), reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities, and in relation to intersectionality. Notably, the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 already proposes changes related to reasonable accommodation and intersectional claims.
I am confident that Ireland's Presidency will continue the important work of delivering on the goals of the Union of Equality strategies aimed at safeguarding and promoting rights and protecting the most vulnerable from discrimination.
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU are intensifying across Government and Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
466. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department plans on introducing additional flexible supports for parents returning to work after having a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35897/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leaves by providing additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers are supported in balancing their work and family lives.
The Act introduced important entitlements for workers, including five days leave for medical care purposes and an extension to the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks. It also introduced the right to request remote working for all employees and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers in line with Article 9 of the Work Life Balance Directive [EU 2019/1158].
Remote, hybrid and flexible working represent a significant opportunity for creating a more inclusive labour market and society, particularly for people with caring responsibilities, people returning to the workforce, older people, people with disabilities and people facing long commutes in the context of high fuel costs. This in turn provides employers with access to a larger talent pool, with remote and hybrid options representing powerful tools for staff recruitment and retention which improves economic performance and labour market access overall.
The Government is also prioritising further work-life balance measures through new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030, which was published on the 18th of November 2025, and includes a number of objectives to empower women in decision making and leadership roles, support women in and returning to the workforce and also to bring a much needed focus on sharing of unpaid caring responsibilities between women and men.
The first Action Plan under the new Strategy is currently being developed and will include actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. The Strategy also supports flexible working options and one’s right to avail of these so that both women and men are afforded greater choice in terms of how they manage the interaction between their caring and work responsibilities.
Under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, there is a provision for a review of the Right to Request Flexible Working provisions. This review is currently being scoped and is due to be undertaken in the coming months. It will also include further research into what additional flexibilities could be introduced for parents and carers and will consider the extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees.
The right to request a remote working arrangements for all employees is accompanied by a Workplace Relations Commission Code of Practice which provides practical guidance for employers and employees on how to comply with the legislation.
As required by the legislation, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment recently concluded a review of the operation of the right to request remote working legislation. The review found that the legislation is highly effective in practice when used, with almost all (94%) of those using their right to request remote work being approved either fully (61%) or partially (33%).
However, the report highlights that public awareness of the legislative right remains low, with fewer than half of employees aware of their right to request remote work. As a result, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will launch a targeted national information campaign to raise awareness of the right to request remote working.
Both the National Remote Work Strategy and Our Rural Future, the Government's rural development policy, recognise the opportunity for more balanced regional development and the rejuvenation of communities across Ireland that remote and flexible working presents- particularly through expanding the range of employment opportunities available to people living in, or wishing to return to, communities outside Ireland’s larger cities.
The Government launched the National Remote Work Strategy, 'Making Remote Work' in January 2021. The Strategy identified 15 actions to be undertaken to ensure that remote work is a permanent feature of the Irish workplace, and all these actions have been successfully delivered.
The evidence suggests that our policies are working, and it is worth highlighting the contribution of remote and flexible working in achieving Ireland’s record levels of employment and female labour force participation.
Ensuring that the legislation underpinning remote and flexible work is effective is key to ensuring that their benefits are fully realised.
467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm the policy for the refund of deposits for ECCE places in childcare facilities; if these deposits should be refunded if a parent gives ample notice of intention to relocate the child to another facility commencing in September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn ECCE Approved Provider must give an accurate description and the total cost of any deposit requested on its Fee Table.
An ECCE Approved Provider may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to 4 weeks ECCE payment. This must appear on the Fee Table.
The full ECCE deposit must be returned to the Parent/Guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the EY HIVE. If a service is holding a legacy deposit from when the child first started attending the service that exceeds 4 times the weekly ECCE capitation amount for a child that has been attending that service prior to their commencement on ECCE, and has not collected a separate ECCE deposit, the ECCE Approved Provider must return up to €276 of that deposit to the Parent/Guardian once the child’s ECCE registration has been approved on the EY HIVE. The deposit must be returned in full in one instalment, once the registration is approved.
The ECCE Approved Provider shall retain all financial records relating to deposits from Parents/Guardians and evidence of return.
Failure to comply with any of the ECCE Rules may result in the suspension of ECCE funding and/or DCDE funding or part thereof may be withdrawn and/or a termination of the ECCE Funding Agreement.
468. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria applicable for access to respite services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35937/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
469. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has any concerns that the new Revised Case Allocation Framework being operated by Tusla permits non-social workers to undertake assessments on children for which they are not qualified to undertake and which previously were undertaken by qualified and registered social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will confirm whether the role of Domestic Violence Liaison Officers within Tusla can be undertaken by someone who is not a qualified and registered social worker. [35959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
Tusla is operating in the EU context where increasing integration of child protection systems is identified as a key goal. Part of this is the growing use of multidisciplinary teams of professions which recognises the knowledge and skills a wide range of professions can contribute to different response pathways. Like other European agencies, Tusla is experiencing significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining social work practitioners and Tusla areas currently has a significant number of social work vacancies.
Reflecting an ongoing changing environment and social work vacancies, Tusla has moved to a multi-disciplinary way of working with children now allocated to social workers and other professional grades where necessary and appropriate to ensure they have the support of a key worker. All children continue to be overseen by social work management. It is important to note that while cases can be allocated to other professionals, these cases are still overseen by Social Work Management. This has resulted in a risk management approach being adopted leading to areas prioritising social work resources to children where their knowledge and skill is most required and then maximising the knowledge and skill of other professions where they can competently respond to children needs.
Tusla is currently developing a Resource Allocation Framework which sets out a consistent approach to the allocation of cases all of which remain under the governance of social work management. It is an initial step to support a nationally consistent and competency-based approach to allocation and will be subject to review and enhancement over time. The framework will ensure all professional staff are supported within their level of competency while continuing to have social work management oversight in their work ensuring effective case management.
Measures to reduce caseload pressure in Tusla have focused on recruitment of social work and social care staff at home and abroad and increased training places for social work and social care staff. With Tusla support, training places for social workers have almost doubled in the past 5 years and by the end of 2025, 340 placements in Tusla with further expansion planned. A social work apprenticeship programme has been introduced with 34 apprenticeships starting in 2024, 71 in 2025 and places expected to rise to 100 in 2026. A similar approach is planned for social care. Tusla continues to provide retention supports and management and teamwork training for workers so that caseloads are managed effectively and equitably. Tusla has also provided additional resources for more local supports including community and voluntary programmes to help assess and support cases more effectively.
